​Executive Summary​

The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below. ​

​Local Network Overview

Local Bus

Monthly Total

There were 4,857K boardings in January 2017 compared to 4,842K in January 2016, an increase of +15K boardings (or less than one percent increase) on local bus service. The calendar mix of one more weekday and one fewer Saturday as well as one more observed holiday (January 2 – New Year’s Day – observed) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. There was significant rainfall on January 18, 2017 which contributed to a ridership loss as well. Continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.

​Light Rail

Monthly Total

There were 1,421K boardings on all three light rail lines in January 2017, compared to 1,470K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -49K boardings (or 3 percent decrease). Green and Purple line ridership increased by 42% and 22% respectively, while Red line ridership decreased by 10% in January 2017 compared to January 2016. There were two additional factors which contributed to a ridership increase and two which contributed to a ridership decrease. First, the Green line was extended to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017. Second, there was an increase in ridership between January 28 and January 31 associated with Super Bowl LI. However, there were multiple service interruptions to address axle counter replacements on North line extension of the Red line during the early part of the month. Finally, continued economic downturn in the Houston area also contributed to the ridership loss.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership on Saturday increased while Weekday and Sunday decreased in January 2017 compared to January 2016. Saturday average daily ridership increased by 3K (or 12 percent increase) while Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -1K boardings (or 2 percent decrease) and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 16 percent decrease). As stated in the paragraph above, the Green line was extended to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017. This extension resulted in two additional stations. In the charts which follow, the total Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday averages for the Green line reflect a weighted average based on the number of days of operation by station. As a result, the sum of the daily averages by station for the Green line will not be equal to the overall total averages because METRO operated service for the entire month on seven rail stations and for part of the month on the remaining two rail stations.

Total Local Network

Monthly Total

There were 6,278K boardings in January 2017 compared to 6,312K in January 2016, a decrease of -34K boardings (or less than 1 percent decrease).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership on the total local network increased on Saturday, while average daily ridership on the total local network decreased on Weekday and Sunday in January 2017 compared to 2016. Saturday average daily ridership increased by 7K boardings (or 5 percent increase), while Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -4K boardings (or 1 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership decreased by -5K (or 4 percent decrease).

​Commuter Network Overview

Park & Ride

Monthly Total

There were 632K Park & Ride boardings in January 2017 compared to 670K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -38K boardings (or 6 percent decrease).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday

Average weekday ridership in January 2017 was 31K boardings compared to 34K boardings January 2016, a decrease of -3K boardings (or 9 percent decrease). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, 94% of all Park and Ride trips are work-based trips. The increase in unemployment is a major contributor to the decrease in ridership.

Entire Network Summary

Monthly Total

There were 6,910K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in January 2017 compared to 6,982K boardings in January 2016, a decrease of -72K boardings (or 1 percent decrease).